Among the many common joint injuries that physical activity bring, torn cartilage is rather prominent on the list. Because the many symptoms accompanied with such an injury are the same as others of the same nature, actually diagnosing torn cartilage in your knee can become difficult. But there are three basic warning signs that will point to having torn cartilage in your knee.
Torn Cartilage in Knee Symptoms
When cartilage (a paste-like substance that connects your bones and ligaments) is torn there is a great amount of pain involved, swelling will occur immediately, or may take up to two days. The third warning sign of torn cartilage is loss of mobility, and this often happens immediately after the injury takes place.
Torn Cartilage in Knee Treatment
The treatment for torn cartilage in your knee is basically the same for any joint injury. Following these few tips may help treat, but realize that some injuries are too serious to treat yourself and may need a doctor’s attention and expertise.
The first and probably most important step in treating torn knee cartilage is to stop any and all physical activity. Wearing a brace will help prevent any accidental sudden movements. Also, as time goes on, the pain may become very severe as your cartilage starts to become inflamed. Taking ibuprofen will help reduce both the swelling and the pain.
While your knee is swollen, ice therapy is very helpful. Using a frozen ice pack, press directly onto your knee where the pain is greatest and hold in place for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeating this process every several hours will help reduce the initial swelling from your injury. After the initial swelling is down, heat therapy is then implemented to help heal the tear. Simply apply a heating pad to your injured knee for 15 to 20 minute intervals, repeating several times a day until your symptoms are gone.
As time progresses and your torn cartilage begins to heal, you need to make sure that you keep the flexibility in your knee. One exercise that will help with this is to stand near a wall, placing your hand on the wall for support. Grab the ankle on the side of your hurt knee with your free hand and pull back towards your back. Make sure you take deep breaths, and focus on relaxing your muscles. Hold for 15 to 20 seconds, then place your ankle back on the floor. Repeat several times. Don’t overdo this exercise. You want to keep flexibility, not injure your knee any further.